After dropping out of university due to illness, Fateha Begum could have given up.

After dropping out of university due to illness, Fateha Begum could have given up.

Now the 22-year-old has been nominated for the London Young People of the Year Awards or ‘YOPEYs’, for young people who are positive role models.

Fateha, from Manor Park, has been nominated for her work with Community Links and the way she has overcome ill health to help young people change their lives.

In 2013, she was diagnosed with a slipped disc and curved spine, leaving her unable to leave home for eight months.

Fateha felt forced to give up her psychology degree at the University of East London.

“In my second term I just suddenly felt this pain in my back, and that was it,” she said.

“It was very difficult as I’d always had a structure in life and that was suddenly taken away.

“Everything felt out of control and I felt vulnerable because I was having to rely upon other people.”

Fateha decided to turn her situation into a positive by joining the Canning Town charity.

“I have six siblings and I needed to be their role model so I was determined to get out there again,” she added.